"What I really wanted to write was a compliment to you for the service you perform with these emails. I was a resident of Patterson/Carmel for 20 years and now live out of the area. But having raised my family there, I have strong feelings for Putnam and I enjoy reading your updates. I also enjoy your wit, humor and ability to call it like it is. Nice job." - LK

Good Friday Morning,

Wow! Yesterday was quite a day for email and phone calls and you all kept me busier than a mother cat with a new litter. And to those of you who made donations to the cause, (PW, RR, CC and AjS) You are loved! And to those of you who have not helped out, you owe those people your gratitude.

Just when you think it's safe to trust the Putnam County Legislature again....

Sources say that the County Legislature, led by Philipstown's Vincent Tamagna, and the Physical Services Committee which is headed up by Kent's Richard Othmer, is now actively working with the State DOT to get them to pay for the road improvements developer Paul Camarda had promised to make on his own dime. Apparently the $3.7 million is a make-or-break deal for him and that without someone footing the bill Patterson Crossing may be mortally wounded.

What we need to do now is to shift our collective efforts to the State level to make absolutely certain they don't play this game. Corporate Welfare is Corporate Welfare no matter how you spin it.

And tell them that in order to get the necessary approvals the developer had promised to pay for these improvements out-of-pocket and there's no logical reason for that to change.

The State DOT says it's a "home rule" issue and that they've already received a number of phone calls but that won't preclude them from either finding $3.7 million (if someone high enough up the ladder requests it), or to shift that money from another project. It just sets a bad precedent to have taxpayers pay for what a private developer says he'll do on his own dime.

As I wrote the other day about this case vigilance is necessary.

News That Matters may be a tad spotty over the next week as I've taken on the charge of stage managing three of Gabrielle Foxs' one-act plays at the Gene Frankel Theatre on Bond Street in NYC. The plays are being performed as part of the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity which consists of a series of 50 plays whose proceeds will be directed toward various charities.

Gabbie's three short plays will be directed by Patterson's Tony Howarth and one of them, "The Graveyard Shift", was first staged right here in Putnam County then made into a short film by Kent's Chris Casaburi. I've worked with both Tony and Gabby before but this is my first time in this capacity.

There will be 6 performances: Thursday, June 3 at 9PM, Saturday June 5th at noon, Sunday, June 6th at 3:30PM, Thursday, June 10th at 7:30PM, Monday June 14th at 8PM and Sunday June 20th at 1PM.

If anyone reading in The City has an available apartment, spare bedroom or a comfy couch for me to sleep on from Thursday night (late) June 3rd through Saturday night June 5th, please let me know. Downtown is preferable but almost anywhere within the city Subway system will work just fine.

In Other News:

Mary Ellen O'Dell has gonads the size of Texas and I wish her well even though she's gone to the Ballside of things. (There's a rally bad unintentional pun in there somewhere... sorry.)

Across the nation more than 100,000 teachers are facing layoffs. At the Pentagon, 0 people are facing layoffs. What's wrong with that picture? We'll conquer the world but won't be able to find it on a map.

Cops across the nation are concerned that Arizona's news immigration laws will upset the precarious balance of 'trust' people have with the police.

Oil is still flooding out of the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico and the Obama Administration is still saddled with the mess left by the Bush Administration.

Friday, May 28

In William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe

7:30PM - Filmmakers Emily Kunstler and Sarah Kunstler explore the life of their father, the late radical civil rights lawyer. In the 1960s and 70s, Kunstler fought for civil rights with Martin Luther King Jr. and represented the famed "Chicago 8" activists who protested the Vietnam War. When the inmates took over Attica prison, or when the American Indian Movement stood up to the federal government at Wounded Knee, they asked Kunstler to be their lawyer.

To his daughters, it seemed that he was at the center of everything important that had ever happened. But when they were growing up, Kunstler represented some of the most reviled members of society, including rapists and assassins. This powerful film not only recounts the historic causes that Kunstler fought for; it also reveals a man that even his own daughters did not always understand, a man who risked public outrage and the safety of his family so that justice could serve all. Tickets $20 includes Q&A with the director and reception. Call or email to reserve!! 845-424-3900 or membership@philipstowndepottheatre.org

The Film Music of Virgil Thomson

7:30 PM. Hosted by Curator Geoff Welch, The presentation will include restored versions of Thomson's The Plow that Broke the Plains and The River with beautifully performed new recordings of the scores and narration. Both films were directed and written by Pare Lorentz with cinematography by Paul Strand.

Virgil Thomson’s (1896-1989) scores for the Plow The Plow that Broke the Plains (1936) and The River (1937) are gems that influenced the development of the "American Sound" in classical music. The River was voted the best documentary film at the 1938 Venice Film festival (beating Leni Riefenstahl’s Olympiad)

Sponsored by the United States Resettlement Administration, the environment subjects of both films are a chilling parallel to current issues and an object lesson in the difficulty of establishing effective governmental policies for sustainability. The films will be projected on a large screen with stereo sound from a superb PA system. Refreshments will be served following the presentation. A free event, reservations are requested. Harmony Hall (1848) is a National Register of Historic Places Site. 15 Liberty Rock Road, Sloatsburg, NY, 10974. Reservations at geoffwelch@gmail.com, (845) 712-5220

Saturday, May 29

Constitution Marsh Paddle

11AM - Beginning Paddlers Welcome! Leader: Geri Wildenberg email: gwildenberg@hvc.rr.com or 845-406-5988 (before 9pm). Cold Spring. Fun for new paddlers and experienced paddlers too. Opportunity to see wildlife and views of West Point in a secluded and easy to get to location. Paddle 3-4 hours at a very easy pace. Bring snacks and water. PFD Required! Meet at Metro North parking lot in Cold Spring not later than 11:00am. Register with leader by 5/26/10 (Ed note: try anyway!)

Kent Library Giant Book Sale

What? It's time to get ready for the Kent Library Giant Book Sale! We need volunteers for all phases of the sale - set up, staffing sale, take down, publicity, etc. If you are able to help us, please contact Kaye Baum at (845) 225-3942 or Rich Harrison at rjamesharrison@cs.com. We are now accepting books/audios/cds/DVDs for the sale. The books should be in good condition, smoke free, and unsoiled. Please no textbooks, Reader's Digest, or outdated encyclopedias. Thank you in advance for your willingness to support the sale. Many hands make the work light. Let's all work to create a great success!

Into the Future:

Tuesday, June 1

Gasland

7PM - Winner Special Jury Prize Documentary Winner Special Jury Prize Documentary – 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Can you imagine being able to light your tap water on fire? Join the Cary Institute for a special public screening of Gasland, a prize-winning documentary exploring the health and environmental risks associated with natural gas drilling. The 105 minute film will be followed by a Q&A with director Jeff Fox and Cary Institute scientists. When a gas company offered Jeff Fox $100,000 to lease his family's Pennsylvania land, he decided to educate himself on the topic of natural gas drilling. What he discovered shocked him into filming a documentary. Flammable tap water, chronically sick citizens, and contaminated air were among the ills found in communities where natural gas "fracking" has been occurring. Part travelogue, part expose, part showdown―Gasland is a must-see for concerned citizens. Events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited. For more information, call (845) 677-7600 x 121 or e-mail freemanp@caryinstitute.org. Location: Cary Institute auditorium, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Rte. 44) in Millbrook, New York.

Wednesday, June 2

Smart Management for Small Communities: Practical Resources for Local Governance

8:30 am – 6:00 pm - Hosted by: Environmental Finance Center-Syracuse University, serving Region 2 of the Environmental Protection Agency, and co-sponsored with the NYS Water Resources Institute. As a part of the Environmental Finance Center’s Public Management Finance Program (PMFP) series, this event will focus on the needs of municipal leaders and provide technical assistance, funding updates, and practical skill-building sessions. Who should attend? Elected officials, wastewater, drinking water and solid waste systems operators, and all interested parties. Every attendee will hear from state and federal agency representatives on funding updates and opportunities, and concurrent break-out sessions including asset management, alternative strategies in drinking water management, wastewater management, and solid waste management. Keynote presentation by Ed Clerico, Principal of Alliance Environmental. The event promises to be educational, functional, practical, and thought-provoking. For more details, see attached workshop announcement PDF. Fee is $75. Register online at: www.efc.syracusecoe.org. Registration deadline: May 10, 2010. Location: Bear Mountain Conference Center (but give it a go anyway if you're interested)

Homeschoolers Nature Education

12:30PM - 2:30PM - Come and join other homeschoolers to learn about the fascinating life cycle of the beautiful butterflies and moths that visit Minnewaska State Park each year. Children will be led on a walk to look for caterpillars, moths and butterflies and then they will make their own insect mask to take home. This program is recommended for children six years old and up, accompanied by an adult over the age of 18 years. Pre-registration is required.

Thursday, June 3

Fox Tales

An Evening of One Act Plays written by Gabrielle Fox, directed by Patterson's Tony Howarth. A Gabrielle Fox production benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Winfluence, The Graveyard Shift and Good Friday.

Three new one-act plays explore relationships between opposites. Two office assistants in a shared space, a drag queen and a red neck in a cemetery, a down and out woman and a biblical theme park character all struggle to overcome their differences, whether they want to or not. Purchase tickets here.

Friday, June4

A Celebration of Procol Harum

7:30PM - A tasty selection of vintage and recent live DVD performances by Procol Harum including splendid 2006 performances with the Danish National Concert Orchestra and choir. The footage will be projected on a large screen with sound from a superb PA system. Hosted by Curator Geoff Welch, this free event is presented, as part of the Harmony Hall Friday Night Salon Series, in honor of Procol Harum's eagerly awaited North American tour this June. The group's classic single, A Whiter Shade of Pale was the #1 song in the world in July 1967, followed over time by a series of incredible singles and albums that are treasured by astute fans. A Free event, refreshments will be served. Reservations are requested as limited seating is available in the Harmony Hall Salon. Harmony Hall (1848) is a National Register of Historic Places Site. 15 Liberty Rock Road, Sloatsburg, NY, 10974. Reservations at geoffwelch@gmail.com, (845) 712-5220

Saturday, June 5

Help Clean Up the Fall Kill Creek

1:00 -4:00 pm (raindate June 12) Clearwater and the Fall Kill Watershed Committee are partnering with Hudson River Housing's Middle Main Initiative to host a Creek Clean Up on the Fall Kill which flows through the city of Poughkeepsie and empties into the Hudson River next to the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum. Participants should meet at the Public Safety Building, 505 Main Street Poughkeepsie at 1pm to register. Contact Jen Rubbo, Fall Kill Watershed Coordinator at jen@clearwater.org or call 845-265-8080 x 7114 to register in advance and for more information.

River Day 2010

All Day - From New York City to Albany, several organizations, Clearwater, Riverkeeper, Hudson River Foundation, Scenic Hudson, HRECOS, Hudson River Maritime Museum, Governor's Island Alliance, New York Parks and Trails, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Hudson River Estuary Program, have joined together to make "River Day" an annual tradition, building on the very popular River Day of 2009. Throughout the Hudson River watershed

Sunday, June 6

PAC Benefit for the ARTS - Songs of World War II

Join us Sunday, June 6th, the anniversary of D-Day, for a USO style show of the great songs of WWII as performed by the Voices of Hope. Area performers Craig Brown, Leo Brown, Joseph (Rocky) Colavito, Kirsten Edlund, Eileen Olifers, Marty Posner, Sherrie House and pianist Sue Yanarella will serve up classics like Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, It’s Only a Paper Moon, The White Cliffs of Dover and more, for a window into the 1940’s.

This popular fundraiser will be offered at Belle Levine Art Center, 521 Kennicut Hill Rd., Mahopac. Tickets are only $30.00 (Members $25.00) and include treats at intermission. Reservations requested. Directions and details on this and all the programs and services of the Putnam Arts Council at putnamartscouncil.com or 845.803.8622

Friday, June 11

Fund Raiser for Mike Kaplowitz

7:30 PM Come out and support Mike Kaplowitz as he works to be the next State Senator from the 40th District. At a private home in Putnam Valley. Write for more information.

Sunday, June 13

Meet and Greet With Mike Kaplowitz

Strawberry Festival

Noon- 5PM - Hosted by the Beacon Sloop Club

Saturday-Sunday, June 19-20, 2010

Clearwater Festival- Great Hudson River Revival

Dawn to Dusk - A festival celebrating music and the environment. Seven stages with live music and performance artists! Featuring Steve Earle, Shawn Colvin, David Bromberg Quartet, Pete Seeger, Joan Osborne, Buckwheat Zydeco, Subdudes, Keller Williams, Railroad Earth, Donna the Buffalo, and many others. Other attractions include: Story Grove, World Dance Stage, Green Living Expo, Sails on the Clearwater and Mystic Whaler, Family Stage, Jugglers and Face Painting, Juried Crafts, Great Food, Hudson River Education Exhibits. For tickets and more information, see www.clearwaterfestival.org. Location: Croton Point Park, Croton, NY

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